West Ham star Pablo Fornals has been talking up David Moyes like he’s Pep Guardiola and Burnley as if they’re Real Madrid.
David Moyes has done a phenomenal job at West Ham. That much is undeniable wherever you might stand on the Scot’s future.
But there’s no hiding the fact a large section of Hammers fans are craving change in search of a more modern, progressive, attack-minded boss.
Moyes is unashamedly risk averse in his approach. And while that has served West Ham well, many feel the club will only take the next step in its development with a fresh style, ideas and tactics when the club does eventually one day part ways with their current manager.
Games like Burnley away are a good litmus test for Moyes and where West Ham are heading under him this season.
Carrying their first really substantial injuries of the season, West Ham should still have more than enough to go and beat the Premier League’s worst side – basement boys Burnley.
Most other clubs are managing it. And most other clubs have suffered injuries to key players too.
So there can be no excuses for anything other than West Ham going to Turf Moor and attacking the fixture with the aim of coming back to London with three points.
Cynical West Ham fans would question whether that will be the case.
But ahead of the match, one Hammers player is doing his best to defend the reputation of the manager, his tactics and the opposition.
West Ham star Pablo Fornals has been talking up Moyes like he’s Pep Guardiola and Burnley as if they’re Real Madrid.
Despite this being one of the most fiercely competitive sports and leagues on the planet, players and managers seem to be afraid to say anything remotely honest or potentially controversial nowadays.
As if the fact most teams incessantly try to copy others and play the same way is not robotic and boring enough, we have to suffer the same from the game’s protagonists in interviews and press conferences.
Now Fornals – a firm favourite among West Ham fans – has tried to offer some insight for supporters. But he ends up trotting out the same old over the top and rather predictable praise.
“It was important for us to really get training right this week,” Fornals told the club’s official website.
“After the Burnley game, we will only have two or three training sessions between our matches.
“It’s a compressed schedule so having the chance to take a bit more time before a match like Burnley gives us that time to make sure each of the concepts are clear in our head. Hopefully that can lead to a very good game from us.
“I know they’ve (Burnley) not had the best start to the season and have struggled a bit for points, but you can see what they are trying to do. They treat the ball well and want to play good football. They have a consistent philosophy that has worked for them.
“We need to go there, implement our style and play our way. We want to come back from Turf Moor with the three points. It’s not an easy place to go. Yes, there have been some changes up there but it’s still a very difficult place to go.”
Concepts, styles, good football, good team? Are we talking about Moyes and Burnley here or Guardiola and Real Madrid? Come on Pablo, let’s live in the real world.
West Ham only have one way of playing under Moyes and it has always been thus. Let’s not try to pretend the manager has suddenly had time to implement a revolution to West Ham’s style and approach.
And as for the OTT respect for Burnley. They’re bottom of the table for a reason. West Ham fans are sick of seeing the manager and team paying inferior opposition far too much respect instead of looking to dominate and take matches by the scruff of the neck.
Of course you don’t want players making silly statements and doing the opponents’ team talk for them.
But they say nice guys finish last for a reason. Let’s have a bit of gumption and ambition in the changing room and on the pitch.
We have a vastly superior squad and players to Burnley with a manager infinitely more experienced.
West Ham should be going to Burnley to win and win comfortably and nothing less. Regardless of a couple of injuries.
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